Hi everybody,

Just shooting out a Happy Hanukkah to anybody who celebrates it.

Why do so many buildings here in NYC only put out christmas decor? My building even had an electric menorah in the lobby for years, but it's nowhere to be seen this year.

Kiss me,

Kate

I agree- so many places only do put Christmas decorations up. Doesn't make much sense, since NYC is the melting pot of EVERYONE! Happy holidays to all !

Because it falls near Christmas, people try to make a bigger deal of it, almost in a competitive way.  People try to find Hanukkah songs to sing with their Christmas carols, and such.  It's kinda the same as the way Christians "borrowed" the Tree for their holiday to try to compete with the pagan winter solstice.

In reality, Hanukkah is not one of the big Jewish holidays.  It's nowhere near as important as Passover, Sukkot, Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur.  

In short, the real reason you don't see a lot of Hanukkah decorations is because religious Jews don't bother trying to hype up Hanukkah to something it's not, in order to compete with Christmas, and non-religious Jews don't bother because they don't care so much.

we have candles in our building -

Hi there Waterclone,

So should we also say that since Jesus wasn't born near christmas (the entire holiday of christmas was created to help transform the pagan holiday of the winter solstice into something christian) then Christmas shouldn't be made to be the big deal that it is?

I don't want to get into the minute details that would start a debate here. First of all, this was meant to be a positive thread to promote joy. My question about decoration was more a snarky by comment than a true complaint. Secondly, there is the religion and politics board.

What I will say however, is that Hanukkah is quite important. It is the last holiday in the Jewish Holiday season which starts back in sept. It closes out all the "high holidays." Even if it's not a time to be ensconced in the synagogue for communal rites (though there are special additional prayers said at this time), it IS a time to reflect on hope, strength, perseverance, and faith with you family and loved ones. Being with family and reflecting on our history are two of many core jewish values.

I wish a warm holiday season, regardless of your denomination.

My love and warmth to all this holiday season!

Kiss me,

Kate

PS Also, TWO kind souls have emailed me to say that they've added some hanukkah cheer to their buildings. For that alone this post was worth it! A publice thank you to you two!!!

I was just looking to offer a possible explanation about the difference in public decorations between the 2 religions.  You said that Hanukkah is a time to reflect and it's not a big communal holiday.  That was my point.  

I'm an atheist now, and it's been about 30 years since hebrew school, so I may have misremembered not being a big public holiday into not being important.  Apologies all around.

I didn't mean to offend anyone and I hope that everyone has a good December, celebrating whatever it is that they like to celebrate.

Actually, Chanukah is a holiday that Jews are supposed to publicize and celebrate.   As a further point of interest, the Chanukah victory/miracle is tied, in part, to a Woman, namely Judith....


http://jwa.org/discover/throughtheyear/december/judith

even though it is not mentioned in Bible itself.
It is  an oportunity to recall and celebrate a victory of good over evil, where a small band of poorly armed and untrained but dedicated people overcame the might of the Greek Assyrians who were a superpower in the 2nd centurry BCE.    
A candle is added each night, beginning with one on the first night and ending with eight, to symbolize the growing glow of freedom as the battles moved towards ultimate vicrtory.  
The message is universal and symbolizes a conviction that truth and freedom will ultimately prevail, even where evil seems to dominate.  

Even in the darkest of times, light will eventually emerge!

The message is no less relevant today than it was over 200 years ago. Whatever you celebrate (or don't) at this season - let's make it a period of joy and gladness and hope for the emergence of light and freedom for all people in all places.

-- Modified on 12/14/2012 1:46:27 AM

...only a big holiday in the U.S. because kids are attracted to all the Christmas lights, trees and presents.  Jewish parents didn't want them to like Christmas so they built up Hanukkah since it was so close to Christmas time.  Go to Israel around Hanukkah and see for yourself.

Tootles
Molly